Writing 2: From Vision to Reality & Why Planning Matters
Are You Living Without a Plan?
Are you one of the many people aimlessly wandering through life, fingers crossed, hoping things will magically change? Do you find yourself flying by the seat of your pants, navigating life without a flight plan? Life is already full of enough turbulence, even with a plan. So why make it harder by going without one?Yes, plans change. And no, you can't be prepared for everything. But planning gives shape to your vision, provides structure to your goals, and lays the foundation for meaningful progress.We all have a vision of our future. Maybe you dream of relaxing with a book on a sunny beach. Maybe you long to spend more time with family. Whatever your vision, ask yourself: Are you pursuing that vision without a plan for how to get there?Vision Without Direction
We all have a picture of our ideal future. Maybe it’s relaxing with a book on a quiet beach. Maybe it’s more time with family. Whatever your vision, ask yourself: Are you pursuing it without a plan for how to get there?
Planning Begins With Questions
To create a plan, start by asking yourself two fundamental questions:Who are you? You are exactly who you choose to be. If you're not satisfied with who you've become, change.Where are you? You are exactly where your past choices have brought you. If you don't like where you've landed, change.
That’s why the most important moment in your life is right now. This moment is your opportunity to make a course correction. And you do that by aligning your decisions with your vision—maximizing the impact of every action you take.
The most important moment in your life is right now — the moment you can choose a new direction.
Proper Action Matters
Taking action is not enough. Taking the right action is what matters. We make decisions every day, but poor choices pull us away from our goals. For example: if your vision is to be healthier but you choose to eat a donut, that decision contradicts your goal. It may feel small, but each small step in the wrong direction compounds over time.Your success depends less on intensity and more on consistency.
What you need is a system — a process that improves your odds of taking the right action at the right time.
That’s where planning becomes essential.A Better Process
Let’s revisit the donut example. If you bring donuts into your home assuming you’ll resist them, you’re relying on willpower alone. That’s flawed thinking. Why did you buy them in the first place if you didn’t intend to eat them? Willpower fades over time, and eventually, you’ll cave. The solution lies in smarter planning. Purposefully.Here’s a basic framework to increase success:Write down a clearly defined goal.Set a realistic timeline to achieve it.Assign or hire a coach for accountability.Keep a food journal: If you bite it, write it.Weigh yourself weekly to track progress.Plan your shopping list when you’re not hungry.Review and refine your shopping list.Have your coach approve the list.Avoid buying foods that sabotage your goal.Stick to the list at the store.Review your progress weekly.Adjust your plan based on what you learn.
In short: Reflect, Refine, and Rise.Reflect, Refine, Rise
If you're not happy with who you are or where you are, this method can help you change direction.Reflect on your past. Understand how your choices shaped your present. Use the past as a tool—not an anchor. We all know the feeling of regret after making a poor decision. That moment can either trap you in guilt or strengthen your resolve. Let it be the latter.Refine your thinking. Decide what needs to change to realign your compass toward true north. Be specific. "I won't do that again" isn't enough. Dig deeper. Identify the behaviors that caused the issue, and design new strategies to remove them at the root. Discovery leads to growth. The deeper you dig, the more you will discover and the higher you’ll rise.Rise to the challenge. Take intentional, meaningful, action based on your refined plan. Change is inevitable. Adaptability is the real skill. A stronger commitment might sound like this: "I will create a thoughtful shopping list, review it with my coach, and follow it without exception." That's not just willpower, that's strategy.A Final Thought
Developing and following a plan requires rethinking your decision almost daily. Life changes constantly, and every choice you make is another attempt to shape your future. You can’t control everything that happens, but you can influence outcomes through thoughtful, intentional planning.Don’t leave your future to chance. Design it with purpose.
